-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In brief remarks to the media just after returning to her hometown of Seattle , an emotional Amanda Knox thanked those who believed in her and supported her fight to overturn her murder conviction in Italy .

`` I 'm really overwhelmed right now , '' said a tearful Knox , who arrived to cheering supporters at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport . `` I was looking down from the airplane , and it seemed like everything was n't real . ''

`` What 's important for me to say is just thank you , to everyone who has believed in me , who has defended me , who has supported my family , '' she said , her voice shaking . Being with her family , she said , is `` the most important thing to me right now . ''

`` Thank you for being there for me , '' she said .

Knox and her family were on a British Airways flight that landed in Seattle about 8:12 p.m. ET .

Before beginning her remarks , Knox smiled and said , `` They 're reminding me to speak in English , because I 'm having problems with that . ''

An Italian appeals court on Monday overturned Knox 's murder conviction in the 2007 death of her roommate , British student Meredith Kercher . Knox initially was sentenced to 26 years in prison .

Knox 's mother and stepfather , Edda and Curt Mellas , also thanked those who have supported their family , as well as the Italian attorneys who fought on her behalf .

`` Meredith was Amanda 's friend , '' said Philadelphia attorney Theodore Simon , who spoke at the news conference . Knox wants the Kercher family to be remembered , Simon said as Knox nodded and appeared to fight tears .

Knox supporters in Seattle said they planned a rousing welcome .

`` To Amanda herself , we say , ` Way to go , kid , ' '' Tom Wright , founder of the group Friends of Amanda Knox , said Monday night .

`` We look forward to welcoming you home with open arms and open hearts , '' Wright said , reading a statement . `` You have well deserved , and will well deserve , all the joy and warmth and fun of your normal life returned to you . ''

The statement also said that it was `` primarily a sad occasion , '' and that the group 's `` deepest sympathies '' were with Kercher 's family .

CNN affiliate KOMO-TV reported that Wright was among a group of more than a dozen supporters who gathered at a hotel suite to watch the jury return its decision about Knox more than 5,000 miles away .

Afterward , Margaret Ralph was among those crying tears of joy . Asked what she 'll say when she sees Knox , Ralph told KOMO , `` I wo n't say anything . I 'll just give her a big hug and kiss . ''

`` It was incredible , '' fellow supporter Kellanne Henry told KOMO , adding that it took a minute to absorb the news . `` They finally got it right , '' she said .

Many Seattle residents took to social media to post messages .

`` I am so happy this nightmare is over for you , '' Seattle resident Jenn Whitney wrote in a posting on one of several Facebook pages devoted to Knox . Whitney said she `` cried with joy '' when Knox 's conviction was overturned . `` I pray that God brings you home safely , '' she added .

`` If I had the chance to greet her when she lands back here in Seattle , the only thing I would do is hand her a rose , give her a hug and say ` welcome home ! ' '' Jeff Bamby posted .

On another Facebook page , Tamara Slater wrote , `` Amanda you have been in the prayers of so many people , it must be heart warming to know you were never forgotten . Welcome home ! ''

CNN affiliate KIRO-TV reported that when staff went out to gauge reactions to the news out of Italy on Monday , `` We met just a few people in West Seattle who disagreed with Monday 's ruling and thought that Knox was guilty . ''

Jordan Adams said he thought Knox was guilty , but he was willing to accept the decision to overturn the conviction . `` I did think she was guilty , but I guess , good luck to her since she 's been freed and cleared , '' he told KIRO .

Early Tuesday morning , a jogger who spotted a CNN crew in Seattle 's Queen Anne Hill neighborhood stopped and yelled , `` Yay Amanda ! Welcome home ! ''

But later , another resident walked up to a CNN crew to say that she could not `` care less about Knox returning home '' and that she believed Knox committed the crime .

CNN 's Josh Levs and Sandra Endo contributed to this report .

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NEW : An emotional Knox says she is `` overwhelmed ''

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NEW : She says being with her family is `` the most important thing ''

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NEW : Her family thanks her supporters

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NEW : `` Meredith was Amanda 's friend , '' one attorney says